Discussion

Only 3 Nights in Midtown on Business - Where to Dine?

I'm heading to NY on business early this week and am determined to have 1 - 2 good dinners while in town. I don't get to NY often enough so I need to make each visit count

I'll be staying at the Royalton in Midtown, which is close to my company's offices on Park Ave. Would greatly appreciate any advice on some must-do spots, ideally quintessential NY experience-type places, that are in relatively close proximity to where I'll be.

As far as my food taste goes, my fave haute temple of the moment is Alinea in Chicago. Since my dining will be on the company, I will likely want to stick with options a notch below the Per Se's and such.

I would suggest Gramercy Tavern. It just received Outstanding Restaurant from the James Beard foundation, its in midtown and the food and service are top notch. Either the tavern for lively drinks, grilled entrees and a fun atmosphere or the main dining room guaranteeing a great meal and excellent service. I've never been let down there.

Thanks rustykup. I was wondering if I was going to get a GT rec. My brother-in-law-to-be was a sous chef under Tom Colicchio for a few years, but I didn't get there before he'd left. Coincidentally enough, I will be heading to Vegas the latter part of next week and have a reservation at Craftsteak.

How does CT compare with Michael Anthony at the helm now? Sounds like he's keeping the GT claim to fame going nicely.

Sounds like you know this already, but you're probably safe to venture anywhere in Manhattan short of going way uptown from where you're staying. I think Jean George (or Nougatine) would be another standard suggestion here that most everyone agrees on (Nougatine may have a few enemies, but hardly a bad word about JG). I'd suggest a steakhouse like Wolfgangs, or Strip House, but it sounds like you travel enough that the New York Steakhouse experience might not impress you. Maybe Perilla Restaurant, or Little Owl.

Others here can suggest a deconstructed-chemical-experimental match to Alinea.